To Go Over or Under.
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| Title: | To Go Over or Under. |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Burton, Allen W. |
| Peer Reviewed: | N |
| Page Count: | 14 |
| Publication Date: | 1989 |
| Document Type: | Reports - Research Speeches/Meeting Papers |
| Descriptors: | Adults, Age Differences, Environmental Influences, Motion, Preschool Children, Preschool Education |
| Abstract: | This study examined the mode of locomotion preschoolers used to traverse fence-like barriers of various heights in order to reach a goal. Preschoolers could step over the barrier, crawl under it, or walk under it. The experimental situation consisted of a room with four fences set up at different heights. Two age groups of preschool children between 3.5 and 5 years of age and a group of adults were asked to retrieve a small toy block from behind single "rail" fences which varied in height in steps of 15.2 cm from 15.2 cm above the floor to about head height. Each retrieval resulted in two traversals: going and returning. Over the course of 24 trials, at least three retrievals or six traversals were made at each height. In general, all three modes of locomotion were observed. For very low heights, all subjects stepped over the fence. For very high heights, nearly all children and adults walked under the fence. For intermediate heights, all children crawled under the fence. For intermediate heights, adults were much more reluctant to crawl; some avoided that mode of locomotion completely. Results suggest that the locomotor behaviors of young children and adults may be constrained by environmental conditions in relation to body size. (RH) |
| Entry Date: | 1990 |
| Accession Number: | ED312052 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | This study examined the mode of locomotion preschoolers used to traverse fence-like barriers of various heights in order to reach a goal. Preschoolers could step over the barrier, crawl under it, or walk under it. The experimental situation consisted of a room with four fences set up at different heights. Two age groups of preschool children between 3.5 and 5 years of age and a group of adults were asked to retrieve a small toy block from behind single "rail" fences which varied in height in steps of 15.2 cm from 15.2 cm above the floor to about head height. Each retrieval resulted in two traversals: going and returning. Over the course of 24 trials, at least three retrievals or six traversals were made at each height. In general, all three modes of locomotion were observed. For very low heights, all subjects stepped over the fence. For very high heights, nearly all children and adults walked under the fence. For intermediate heights, all children crawled under the fence. For intermediate heights, adults were much more reluctant to crawl; some avoided that mode of locomotion completely. Results suggest that the locomotor behaviors of young children and adults may be constrained by environmental conditions in relation to body size. (RH) |
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